This pretty holiday home is a few minutes’ walk (no pavement) from a small Provençal village which nestles in the valley at the foot of Les Alpilles. You are sure to quickly feel at home in the warm atmosphere of this contemporary and stylish villa which is tastefully furnished with some artistic and quirky touches. The three comfortable, en suite and air-conditioned double bedrooms are individually designed to promote relaxation and please the eye. Tucked behind the living and dining space is a quaint study area and the well-equipped kitchen is partially open plan. The mature and well established enclosed Provençal garden is simply glorious with its orderly lawns alongside mature trees, hedges and beds of herbs and lavender. Chill out with a glass of wine and admire the shapes of the olive trees and the bright blossom of the oleander bushes as you listen to the soothing sounds of the water feature. The terrace next to the house is perfect for sociable al-fresco dining on warm evenings. There are further spacious lounging and seating areas around the heated swimming pool and a covered terrace with tables and chairs in front of the well-equipped pool house. The village has a small supermarket, shops and restaurants and  is surrounded by some superb countryside and hectares of olive groves - don’t leave without trying some of the local olive oil on a piece of freshly baked bread. A short drive away is medieval Les Baux-de-Provence, one of France’s several plus beaux villages in this area, perched on a plateau with fantastic views. The small mountains, olive groves, vineyards and forests of Les Alpilles provide a great environment for family activities such as thyme scented walks, rock climbing, horse riding, golf, hiking and mountain biking. The unique light, sunflowers and cypress trees were an inspiration to artist Vincent Van Gogh who lived in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a nearby lively market town well worth a visit. Villa Daxie is an excellent location for a variety of great day trips, maybe starting with the historic cities of Avignon, Nîmes and Arles. Further afield are the wonders of the Luberon and the stunning wilderness of the Camargue with its iconic pink flamingos, white horses, black bulls, sea ponds and sandy beaches. Features: Villa Interiors (200m2) Ground Floor -    Open plan lounge and dining area -    Partially open plan kitchen, fully-equipped including dishwasher, fridge, two freezers, induction hob, oven, microwave, ice-maker, Nespresso machine, cafetière, toaster and kettle -    Office -    Laundry room -    Bedroom with double bed (180cm) and shower room with WC -    Bedroom with double bed (200cm) and bathroom with bath, shower and WC -    WC First Floor -    Bedroom with double bed (180cm or can be split in two) and shower room with WC Outside Grounds (3000m2, enclosed) -    Heated swimming pool (9x11m, depth: 1-1.65m) with electric safety cover -    Pool house with fridge/freezer, hob, sink, plancha, dishwasher, ice-maker and dining area for 8 people -    Sun-loungers (x6) -    Al-fresco dining and lounge terrace  -    2 x gas barbecues -    Garden -    Water feature -    Parking Facilities -    Wi-Fi -    Air-conditioning (bedrooms only) -    TVs (lounge and each bedroom) -    Netflix -    Sonos speaker -    Hairdryers -    Washing machine Location: Villa Daxie is situated near the heart of a pleasant village, just south of Les-Baux-de-Provence and nestled in a valley at the foot of Les Alpilles Natural Park in the Bouche-du-Rhône department of southern France. The village is surrounded by olive groves and spectacular countryside whilst shops, restaurants and cafés are only a short walk from your holiday home. Don’t go home without sampling some of the region’s fine olive oil on a piece of fresh baguette. Les Alpilles is a wonderful spot in Provence where picture-perfect villages with plane tree shaded squares huddle around the church. It is the home to small scrub covered mountains, olive groves, pine and oak forests and is a great place for family activities such as rock climbing, golf, horse riding, hiking and mountain biking. A small drive away is the tiny and delightful village of Paradou which lies at the foot of the mountains, representing Provence in miniature, full of characterful houses, colourful gardens and surrounded by beautiful countryside. It’s also the home of Le Bistrot du Paradou, much-loved by Rick Stein. A short drive northwards is Les Baux-de-Provence, one of France’s plus beaux villages, perched on a hilltop with fine views towards Arles, the Camargue and the small mountain range of Les Alpilles.  Eygalières, one of the prettiest hilltop villages in Provence, adored by a handful of A-list celebrities, is only a half hour drive away.   The fine quality of light, iconic sunflowers and cypress trees inspired artist Vincent Van Gogh who lived in nearby Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, a vibrant market town on the northern edge of the Les Alpilles. The town still has many resident artists who sell and display their works in the local galleries. Take the 40-minute drive northwards to the historic city of Avignon to admire its two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the St Bénézet Bridge and the Pope’s Palace. It is shorter 24km drive south westwards towards Arles, renowned for its fine Roman remains - it’s a magical experience dining at a restaurant terrace beneath the plane trees in Place du Forum, where Van Gogh once painted “Café Terrace at Night”.   Beyond Arles is the magnificent Camargue with its wild white horses, black bulls, pink flamingos, lagoons and red salt-pans reaching out towards the Mediterranean. There are so many exciting opportunities to experience here including jeep tours, horse-riding, walking, quad biking and even a visit to one of its sandy beaches. Terms & Conditions: Security deposit? €2500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. Arrival time? 5.00 p.m. Late arrivals after 9.00 p.m. may be charged a late arrival fee of €120. Departure time? 10.00 a.m. Minimum stay? 14 nights in July and August. 7 nights during all other periods. Changeover day? Saturday. All other changeover days on request. Energy costs included? Yes. Linen & towels included? Yes, towels changed once for stays over 14 nights. Pool towels included? Yes, changed once for stays over 14 nights. Pool opening dates? Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. Pool heating charge? Extra €250 per week, payable locally. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. End of stay cleaning included? Yes, and daily cleaning included (3hrs). However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Pets welcome? Not allowed. Smoking Allowed? Outside only. Tax? French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€5 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). Other Ts and Cs? Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only.